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Ceat UTT to plough back Rs. 2 mn into table tennis
MUMBAI: While the Ceat Ultimate Table Tennis remains India’s first professional league for the sport and one of the most ambitious projects of 11Even Sports in their vision to bring success in the 2020, 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games, the sports promotion company also engages in several development programmes that works towards bringing table tennis talent across the country to the fore.
In this pursuit, 11Even Sports, at the successful conclusion of the inaugural edition of Ceat UTT on 30 July announced it will invest Rs. 2 million basis the performance of top ten players of the League towards the development of table tennis in India. The initiative titled ‘Ultimate Top Ten’- top 10 players who has scored the maximum points in the League, will promote the sport through grassroot development and encourage youngsters to pick the sport. China’s Wu Yang won the ‘Ultimate One’ prize of Rs.1,50,000 for scoring 456 points and being the leader in the points table along with winning the title of Most Valuable Player- Female and a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000. Teammate, Liam Pitchford won the MVP- male and prize money of Rs. 1,00,000 as Falcons TTC outclassed Shaze Challengers 14-9 to win the inaugural edition of Ceat UTT
“To make the sport more popular and reach out to every TT enthusiast, just a league won’t be enough. We need to build a pyramid structure to make India a force to reckon in the sport. We, therefore, decided to make this investment of Rs 2 million back into the sport to begin with,” said Ultimate Table Tennis owner & promoter Vita Dani.
Wu Yang, the winner of Ceat Ultimate Table Tennis title, MVP-female as well as the Ultimate One, too was excited at a victorious conclusion of her campaign. “This was my first experience and I must say it has been very exciting and memorable for me. The League was so well organised and then winning the title as well as the Ultimate One and MVP has been an experience I’ll always remember. I have had a great time with everyone in India and look forward to coming back soon,” said the world No. 13.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
